Tourism Coalition of South Dakota (TCSD) Urges Voters to Reject IM-28
IM-28 is a Threat to South Dakota’s Communities and Tourism Industry

Pierre, SD, October 15, 2024 – The Tourism Coalition of South Dakota (TCSD) opposes Initiated Measure 28 (IM-28), warning that the measure would create serious financial challenges for communities large and small across the state. From family-owned businesses to major tourist attractions, the consequences of IM-28 would affect every corner of South Dakota’s tourism industry.

Potential $646 Million Revenue Loss

IM-28 could strip up to $646 million from South Dakota’s budget, a deficit that would impact all communities and essential state programs. With 80% of state expenditures going to education and health & human services, the resulting budget shortfall would disproportionately affect children, patients, and seniors. “The loss in sales tax revenue would force devastating cuts to local programs, which are essential for attracting visitors and supporting local businesses across South Dakota,” said Carmen Schramm, Executive Director of TCSD. “IM-28 would hurt every South Dakotan — from small business owners to large employers, and from city streets to rural roads,” added Schramm. “We cannot afford to weaken the funding that supports our towns, schools, and health services.”

Impact on Local Communities 

The effects of IM-28 extend beyond the state budget. South Dakota communities will be prohibited from taxing items the state cannot tax under SDCL 10-52-2, which states that “no tax may be levied … unless such tax conforms in all respects to the state tax.” Since IM-28 eliminates taxes rather than setting them at 0%, this provision would significantly impact local budgets. This means that towns and cities will lose a critical source of revenue, including taxes currently collected on tobacco, vapes, and other related products. As a result, additional cuts to local budgets could affect essential services like law enforcement, road maintenance, public pools, and parks.

Risk of Income Tax

IM-28 could also fundamentally change South Dakota’s tax system. With such a significant revenue shortfall, there is concern that a ballot measure might be introduced to establish an income tax to compensate for the lost funds, placing a heavy financial burden on taxpayers statewide.

A Coalition to Protect South Dakota’s Future 

The Tourism Coalition of South Dakota (TCSD) has joined more than 60 organizations and over 75 cities and towns that have passed resolutions in opposition to IM-28 as part of the “No on

IM-28” campaign. This coalition is working to educate voters about the serious risks posed by IM-28 and the potential harm it could inflict on the state’s economy. You can visit their website to learn more: nosdincometax.com. “IM-28 is poorly drafted and will lead to major cuts to the state and municipalities or it sets us up for major tax increases,” said Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association. “Don’t take the bait; vote no on IM-28.”

About the Tourism Coalition of South Dakota (TCSD):

The Tourism Coalition of South Dakota represents a diverse group of businesses and organizations working to promote and protect South Dakota’s tourism industry. TCSD advocates for policies that support tourism’s role as a key contributor to the state’s economy, ensuring the industry’s sustainable growth.

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I had my nose buried in work tonight, and had forgotten I needed to monitor this eBay auction.. but luckily no one else wanted to get in on this sale.  And I managed to acquire another State Capital fight ribbon that I didn’t have. This time from either the the 1889 or 1890 battle when Watertown was in the fight:

It has been trimmed up and has a little wear, but as I’ve said before these ribbons are not an everyday thing to stumble across. So any time I can find one is a happy occasion.

You ever make an investment that didn’t pan out?   I did once, where my wife and I bought a beautiful lot of land in Pierre just above the Dam to build on… but before we could break ground, the water district put a moratorium on rural water hookups.  And then after a job offer, we moved to Brookings which meant we weren’t building in Pierre.

Unless we wanted to take a complete bath, we were stuck with the Pierre land until the moratorium was lifted.  After the water hookups eventually came back, we were able to sell for about what we purchased it for plus realtor fees, somewhat breaking even. If you don’t count loan payments, taxes, etc. We were out those. It wasn’t a big loan, but it still cost us money to pay for a dream that never came to fruition.

I tell that story, because it’s a lot like Justin McNeal running for Congress and getting a $50,000 loan for his campaign which was unable to get on the ballot. (Twice.)

JustinMcNeal_Oct2024Quarterly by Pat Powers on Scribd

Now, apparently Justin McNeal found a couple people – family friends I’m assuming – to hand him $975 for his campaign which flamed out for a campaign suffering from electoral dysfunction. But he continues to spend down the campaign account – this quarter around $3000. Lots of gas money that he’s claiming was “campaign related” for a campaign that hasn’t existed for a while. He’s reporting $38,845.30 cash on hand. But that includes funds from a $50,000 loan he gave himself in January.

In other words, he’s starting to burn through that loaned cash as he tries to chase something that – after failing twice in his signature collection – just isn’t going to happen.

Justin, you loaned yourself $50k, thinking you might be able to gamble that cash on a Congressional seat. And now you’re down about $12 large at the electoral roulette wheel? I think I’d be giving serious thought to limiting myself to only being down $12,000 before I’m down the full $50k.

Sometimes you need to cut your losses.

US Senator John Thune is taking on the CBS News monolith, and noting that they should be honest with the American people in the interview with Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris that they promoted to the world:

Controversy erupted after “60 Minutes” published remarks from Harris in a promotional video of her interview with the show that did not match what she stated when the interview aired.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-ND) told The Daily Wire: “If the Harris campaign stands by all of the vice president’s comments, then I’m not sure why they wouldn’t support releasing the full interview.”

“In fact, their refusal to join these calls only raises more questions,” he added.

Read the entire story here on the Daily Wire.

CBS News should release the tapes.

Biden-Harris Inflation Crisis Leaves Americans Falling Behind
By Sen. John Thune

According to the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, it costs a typical family $13,327 more per year to maintain the same standard of living it had at the beginning of the Biden-Harris administration. That’s a staggering increase for the same goods and services in the span of less than four years, and Americans are the ones bearing the brunt of this sticker shock, as the price of groceries spiked 22 percent, shelter costs went up 23 percent, and energy prices grew by 34 percent, among other necessities. And the reason costs are so much higher today is because of Washington Democrats’ addiction to reckless spending.

Eager to begin implementing their big government agenda, Democrats seized on the pandemic as an excuse to spend $1.9 trillion on their so-called American Rescue Plan in 2021. They ignored warnings that the bill was too big and that it could “set off inflationary pressures of a kind we have not seen in a generation,” and they pushed the bill ahead with Vice President Harris casting critical tie-breaking votes. As predicted, inflation began to accelerate almost immediately.

The Biden-Harris inflation crisis is a classic case of too many dollars chasing too few goods. Democrats flooded our economy with their reckless spending, and inflation began to climb as a result. It kept on climbing for years, reaching a 40-year high and causing untold economic pain across the country.

But this inflation crisis did not deter Democrats. In fact, as inflation was soaring, the Biden-Harris administration was actually trying to force through yet another reckless taxing-and-spending spree, this time with a massive $3.5 trillion price tag. One can only imagine how much worse inflation would have been had this bill passed.

For the last few years, the American people have been paying more and getting less. They have had to put more on their credit cards and dip into their savings. Others put off necessities and niceties to make ends meet. How many Americans had to lower their standard of living because of higher costs? How many car repairs, family vacations, or braces for the kids had to be put off because of inflation?

Then there’s the additional economic pain of rate hikes the Federal Reserve was forced to impose to deal with the Biden-Harris inflation crisis. Those rate hikes meant higher credit card interest rates, higher rates for car loans, and higher mortgage rates. Americans who had to put more on their credit cards to deal with high food or energy prices are now facing increased challenges paying off that debt. Other Americans are finding the American dream of homeownership out of their reach, facing elevated mortgage rates on top of already staggering home prices.

When the history of the Biden-Harris administration is written, I suspect it will be defined by the historic inflation crisis caused by its reckless spending. Years of elevated prices have taken a toll on Americans’ budgets, and I fear those effects may linger. Americans simply cannot afford another reckless taxing-and-spending spree.

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Congressman Dusty Johnson’s Weekly Update – The Big Three: Relief and Recovery

BIG Update

FEMA does not and should not use disaster funds for illegal immigrants. There are separate funds and funding sources for both the Disaster Relief Fund and the Shelter and Services Program for migrants. While this separation exists, Congress should ensure that there is no crossover of these funds. Funding designated for Americans’ disaster relief should not be used to mitigate a crisis that could be prevented by stricter border policies.

Natural disasters like hurricanes Helene and Milton are plaguing American communities. Families facing unspeakable devastation should not have to wonder if FEMA will run out of resources for recovery because it was instead used to support illegal immigrant programs.

BIG Idea

Call to Freedom serves victims and survivors of human trafficking and sex trafficking in South Dakota. Their work focuses on bringing healing and support to these individuals who have faced terrible trauma. The organization is on track to serve more than 600 individuals this year and has helped people from 61 of South Dakota’s 66 counties.

I joined Call to Freedom’s ninth annual CommUnity breakfast to hear about the impact the organization is making. There was record attendance – 1,300 people gathered to help support their mission.

Call to Freedom CommUnity Breakfast

BIG News

Earlier this week, South Dakota identified and removed 273 non-citizens from its voter rolls. While non-citizens aren’t allowed to vote in federal elections, there has been growing concern about registered voters who aren’t American citizens influencing our federal elections. I’ve been a leader on the SAVE Act in Congress to ensure non-citizens aren’t able to register in the first place. Safeguarding our elections is imperative in making sure Americans can trust the process.

I’m supporting other initiatives to bolster election security like requiring a valid photo ID to vote. Voting is an essential pillar of our democracy—every vote counts. Congress must take steps to ensure no one is voting improperly, like casting multiple ballots, voting in the wrong location, or filling out someone else’s ballot. A fair and accurate election system is critical to ensuring the success of our democracy.

ROOSTER!
By: Gov. Kristi Noem  
October 11, 2024  

There’s a call that you’ll hear across much of South Dakota over the next several months. It doesn’t sound like a bird, though it’s all about one. The shout of “ROOSTER!” will ring out in fields and ditches, just like it does every fall into the early winter.

One thing will be different this year: you’ll hear “ROOSTER!” even more than in recent memory.

The Resident Only pheasant season starts the morning of October 12, and the traditional pheasant season starts a week later on October 19. This season, we are looking forward to more pheasants than we’ve had in years – maybe ever.

For the past several years, my administration has promoted pheasant habitat, increased hunting access, and we’ve harvested predators who eat our state bird. We had a mild winter and sufficient moisture across the primary pheasant range, so that habitat is flourishing. All of these efforts are pointing to large pheasant numbers across the state! 

The word is getting out. Small game license sales are through the roof. South Dakotans and our visitors alike know that our state is the best place in the world to hunt pheasants. After all, it’s ingrained in our way of life.

From a very young age, I hunted pheasants with my family. My grandma Dorris took me out on those very first few trips. While my grandkids are not nearly old enough to hunt themselves, it’s never too early for them to fall in love with chasing birds. 

If you’re a South Dakotan and reading this, I hope you have an opportunity to get out in the field, enjoy the fresh air, spend time with loved-ones, and hunt our state bird. And if you’re not from our state (what’s taking you so long?), I hope you’ll come visit us and share this fantastic experience. It truly is a pastime like no other. 

God bless, and happy hunting! I hope you shout “ROOSTER!” ‘til you lose your voice.

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We must be coming up on the election, as South Dakota State Senator Tom Pischke is already promising to embarrass South Dakota again in 2025.

And as he did in January, Tom’s 2025 agenda is already pre-focusing like a laser on chem trails:

2025 won’t be about jobs. It won’t be about trying to balance the budget.

It’s just going to be chemtrails, the new world order, and everything else your crazy uncle links to on Facebook.

Rounds, Hagerty, Colleagues Call Out DOJ for Refusing to Provide Answers on Prosecutions of Illegal Aliens Registering to Vote

Garland’s DOJ did not respond to initial letter on prosecutions, as evidence of thousands of cases of illegal aliens registering to vote have emerged

 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined his colleague Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) in calling out U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) failure to prevent illegal aliens from registering to vote in American elections or prosecute those who evidently have done so.

“We are deeply concerned by reports of non-citizens registering to vote and voting in federal elections,” the members wrote. “As of today, there has been no response from you or your Department regarding the inquiry on July 12, 2024, seeking information on efforts undertaken by your Department to enforce laws prohibiting non-citizen voting.  Given that the 2024 Presidential Election is in less than 34 days, your Department’s inaction and refusal to provide any information regarding its efforts to promote public trust and confidence in our elections is especially alarming.”

“Clearly, there is a non-negligible amount of voter participation by non-citizens in federal elections, which is not only a serious threat to the integrity of our elections and the democratic process they represent, but also has the potential to reduce Americans’ trust and confidence in election results,” the members continued.

Rounds and Hagerty were joined on this letter by Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Kennedy (R-La.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), along with 40 members of the House of Representatives.

Read the full letter HERE or below.

+++

Dear Attorney General Garland:

We are deeply concerned by reports of non-citizens registering to vote and voting in federal elections. As of today, there has been no response from you or your Department regarding the inquiry on July 12, 2024, seeking information on efforts undertaken by your Department to enforce laws prohibiting non-citizen voting. Given that the 2024 Presidential Election is in less than 34 days, your Department’s inaction and refusal to provide any information regarding its efforts to promote public trust and confidence in our elections is especially alarming.

Since the initial letter, several more concerning reports have been released by state officials indicating that a large number of non-citizens appear on their voter rolls. For example, the Virginia Attorney General recently announced that 6,303 non-citizens were identified on and removed from Virginia’s voter rolls in 2022 and 2023. In another troubling report released in August, over 6,500 non-citizens registered to vote in Texas were identified and removed from voter rolls. Of the 6,500 non-citizens identified, 1,930 had a voter history.

Clearly, there is a non-negligible amount of voter participation by non-citizens in federal elections, which is not only a serious threat to the integrity of our elections and the democratic process they represent, but also has the potential to reduce Americans’ trust and confidence in election results.

Accordingly, we respectfully reiterate the July 12 request for information on your Department’s enforcement efforts. The initial deadline for providing this information was July 26, 2024, so the response is now 9 weeks overdue.

Please provide responses to the following no later than October 16, 2024:

1. Please provide the number of aliens who have been charged, tried, or convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 611 since January 20, 2021, including the status of each case.
2. Please provide the number of aliens who been charged, tried, or convicted under 52 U.S.C. § 20511 since January 20, 2021, including the status of each case.
3. Please provide the number of aliens who have been prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. § 911 since 2021, including the status of each case.
4. Please provide the number of referrals received from other government officials or the public in reference to the statutes cited in questions 1 through 3.
5. How does the Department of Justice investigate allegations received of non-citizen voting or voter registration?
6. What affirmative steps have the Department of Justice taken to detect, prevent, and deter illegal aliens and other non-citizens from registering and voting in federal elections?
7. What affirmative steps have the Department taken to obtain relevant information from the Department of Homeland Security on aliens who have registered or voted in elections?
8. What steps have been taken by U.S. Attorneys and the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division, which is responsible for prosecuting election crimes and assisting U.S. Attorneys in prosecuting election crimes, to obtain jury-related information that indicates aliens have unlawfully registered to vote?
9. As the 2024 election nears, what steps will the Department take to detect, investigate, and prosecute non-citizens who violate 18 U.S.C.§ 911, 52 U.S.C. § 20511, or 18 U.S.C. § 611 by voting or registering to vote in the 2024 election?
10. What steps have the Department taken to contact Virginia and Texas election officials to obtain information and the voter registration and voter history files on each of the aliens removed from the voter rolls who were unlawfully registered and voting in those states?

Thank you for your attention to this matter and we look forward to your prompt reply.

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From my mailbox, a e-mail newsletter circulated from a group of Yankton County Republicans & (former) GOP donors are reporting that the group that calls themselves the Yankton GOP (despite being de-listed by the party) are handing out campaign funds after reading the cherry-picked scorecards from the Citizens for Liberty group:

Yankton County GOP Distribution of Campaign Funds Based on Ranking in the “Citizens for Liberty” Scorecard

It was revealed on Monday night (October 6) at the Yankton County GOP Meeting that distribution of funds to District 18 candidates was based on their ranking in the “Citizens for Liberty” legislative scorecard.  That scorecard is tabulated by an independent political committee not affiliated with the Republican Party.  As a result of distributing funds in that manner, Senate Candidate Lauren Nelson who did not have a ranking received $2,000; House Candidate Julie Auch was awarded $1,820 and House Candidate Mike Stevens was given $660. 

This is a new twist as in the past campaign funds were awarded equally with all legislative candidates receiving the same amount and all county level candidates receiving the same amount.  Of course, candidates without opposition did not receive funds and in some cases if a candidate needed a bit more help, it was awarded. 

Contrary to what was done in this primary, funds were never awarded to any candidate in a primary.

Wow. First they hand out donor money in the primary. And now they’re helping candidates based on what a non-Republican group comes up with in a cherry-picked scorecard in their pursuit of ideological purity?

This is not a group worthy of calling themselves the Republican Party.